US20160046478A1 - Water dispenser - Google Patents
Water dispenser Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20160046478A1 US20160046478A1 US14/780,032 US201314780032A US2016046478A1 US 20160046478 A1 US20160046478 A1 US 20160046478A1 US 201314780032 A US201314780032 A US 201314780032A US 2016046478 A1 US2016046478 A1 US 2016046478A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- water
- tank
- pipe
- water level
- way valve
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
- B67D1/08—Details
- B67D1/12—Flow or pressure control devices or systems, e.g. valves, gas pressure control, level control in storage containers
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
- B67D1/0003—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught the beverage being a single liquid
- B67D1/0004—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught the beverage being a single liquid the beverage being stored in a container, e.g. bottle, cartridge, bag-in-box, bowl
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
- B67D1/0003—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught the beverage being a single liquid
- B67D1/0009—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught the beverage being a single liquid the beverage being stored in an intermediate container connected to a supply
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
- B67D1/0003—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught the beverage being a single liquid
- B67D1/0014—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught the beverage being a single liquid the beverage being supplied from water mains
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
- B67D1/0042—Details of specific parts of the dispensers
- B67D1/0081—Dispensing valves
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
- B67D1/08—Details
- B67D1/0871—Level gauges for beverage storage containers
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
- G01F23/00—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm
- G01F23/30—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by floats
- G01F23/56—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by floats using elements rigidly fixed to, and rectilinearly moving with, the floats as transmission elements
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
- B67D1/08—Details
- B67D1/0857—Cooling arrangements
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
- B67D1/08—Details
- B67D1/0895—Heating arrangements
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
- B67D1/08—Details
- B67D1/12—Flow or pressure control devices or systems, e.g. valves, gas pressure control, level control in storage containers
- B67D2001/1259—Fluid level control devices
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B67D2210/00—Indexing scheme relating to aspects and details of apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught or for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes
- B67D2210/00002—Purifying means
- B67D2210/00005—Filters
- B67D2210/00007—Filters for gas
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a water dispenser in which drinking water is supplied from a replaceable raw water container filled with drinking water such as mineral water.
- Such a water dispenser (as disclosed in the below-identified patent document 1) is generally known in which a replaceable raw water container is placed on the top surface of a casing, and drinking water contained in the raw water container falls by gravity into a cold water tank arranged in the casing.
- the abnormality water level sensor can detect the abnormality. Also, since the interior of the first tank communicates with the interior of the second tank through the air passage pipe, even if the water level in the second tank continues to rise due to an abnormality, drinking water overflowing the second tank flows into the first tank through the air passage pipe, so that the water level in the first tank rises. Therefore, even if the water level in the second tank continues to rise due to an abnormality, the abnormality water level sensor can detect the abnormality.
- the abnormality water level sensor of the first tank can detect not only an abnormality which causes the water level in the first tank to continue to rise, but also an abnormality which causes the water level in the second tank to continue to rise, thus making it possible to monitor both the first tank and the second tank by a single sensor, i.e., only by the abnormality water level sensor so as to prevent water leakage.
- a single sensor i.e., only by the abnormality water level sensor so as to prevent water leakage.
- it is not necessary to attach an abnormality water level sensor to the second tank thus making it possible to reduce costs.
- the air layer in the first tank communicates with the air layer in the second tank through the air passage pipe, it is not necessary to mount an atmosphere communication line to the second tank. As a result thereof, it is possible to reduce the possibility that germs might go into the water dispenser from the atmosphere, and thus to keep the water dispenser hygienic.
- FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the water dispenser in the vicinity of the container holder of FIG. 1 , the view illustrating the state in which the container holder is out of a casing.
- the pump 21 may be a gear pump.
- the gear pump includes a casing, a pair of gears received in the casing and meshing with each other, and an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber defined in the casing by the portions of the gears meshing with each other.
- the gear pump transfers drinking water trapped between the inner surface of the casing and the tooth grooves of the respective gears from the side of the inlet chamber to the side of the outlet chamber due to the rotation of the gears.
- the cold water tank 2 contains air and drinking water in two layers with the air forming the upper layer and the water forming the lower layer.
- the cold water tank 2 has a cooling device 23 attached thereto which keeps drinking water stored in the cold water tank 2 at a predetermined low temperature (about 5 degrees Celsius).
- a cold water discharge pipe 24 is connected to the bottom surface of the cold water tank 2 such that low-temperature drinking water stored in the cold water tank 2 is discharged through the cold water discharge pipe 24 to outside.
- the cold water discharge pipe 24 has a cold water cock 25 mounted thereto which is operable from the outside of the casing 1 . By opening this cold water cock 25 , low-temperature drinking water can be discharged from the cold water tank 2 into a cup, etc.
- the capacity of the cold water tank 2 (its capacity to hold drinking water) is smaller than that of the raw water container 14 , and is about 1 to 3 liters.
- the end portion of the cold water tank water supply pipe 4 on the side of the cold water tank 2 is connected to the top surface 2 a of the cold water tank 2 .
- the cold water tank 2 is provided in its interior with a guiding plate 33 by which, when drinking water is introduced into the cold water tank 2 through the cold water tank water supply pipe 4 , the vertical flow of the drinking water flowing into the cold water tank 2 is changed into a horizontal flow of drinking water.
- the guiding plate 33 thus prevents low-temperature drinking water stored in the lower portion of the cold water tank 2 from mixing with and being stirred by the normal-temperature drinking water flowing into the cold water tank 2 through the cold water tank water supply pipe 4 .
- the buffer tank 6 is connected to the hot water tank 5 through a hot water tank water supply pipe 39 , with the end portion of the hot water tank water supply pipe 39 on the side of the buffer tank 6 connected to the bottom surface of the buffer tank 6 .
- a check valve 39 a is provided at the end portion of the hot water tank water supply pipe 39 on the side of the buffer tank 6 .
- the check valve 39 a prevents drinking water from flowing into the buffer tank 6 from the hot water tank 5 , while allowing drinking water to flow into the hot water tank 5 from the buffer tank 6 .
- the sterilization operations are conducted.
- the upper three-way valve 9 is moved to the buffer side connection position, and the lower three-way valve 11 is moved to the circulation side connection position.
- the pump 21 is activated. By doing so, high-temperature drinking water in the hot water tank 5 circulates through the circulation pipe 13 , the lower three-way valve 11 , the pump attached pipe 10 , the upper three-way valve 9 , the buffer tank water supply pipe 8 , the buffer tank 6 , and the hot water tank water supply pipe 39 .
- the abnormality water level sensor 34 of the cold water tank 2 can detect not only an abnormality which causes the water level in the cold water tank 2 to continue to rise, but also an abnormality which causes the water level in the buffer tank 6 to continue to rise, thus making it possible to monitor both the cold water tank 2 and the buffer tank 6 by a single sensor, i.e., only by the abnormality water level sensor 34 .
- it is not necessary to attach an abnormality water level sensor to the buffer tank 6 thus making it possible to reduce costs.
- the air layer in the cold water tank 2 communicates with the air layer in the buffer tank 6 through the air passage pipe 36 , it is not necessary to mount an atmosphere communication line to the buffer tank 6 . As a result thereof, it is possible to reduce the possibility that germs might go into the water dispenser from the atmosphere, and thus to keep the water dispenser hygienic.
Abstract
A water dispenser is provided which a first water level sensor configured to detect the water level in a cold water tank a second water level sensor configured to detect the water level in a buffer tank, an atmosphere communication line mounted to the cold water tank such that the interior of the cold water tank is maintained at atmospheric pressure, an air passage pipe through which the air layer in the cold tank communicates with the air layer in the buffer tank, and an abnormality water level sensor configured to detect that the water level in the cold tank has reached an abnormal level.
Description
- The present invention relates to a water dispenser in which drinking water is supplied from a replaceable raw water container filled with drinking water such as mineral water.
- In the past, water dispensers were used mainly in offices and hospitals, etc. However, since interest in the safety of water or in health is growing these days, the number of water dispensers used in ordinary homes is increasing. Such a water dispenser (as disclosed in the below-identified patent document 1) is generally known in which a replaceable raw water container is placed on the top surface of a casing, and drinking water contained in the raw water container falls by gravity into a cold water tank arranged in the casing.
- In the water dispenser disclosed in
patent document 1, since a raw water container is placed on the top surface of a casing, when the raw water container is replaced with a new raw water container, it is necessary to lift a new raw water container filled with water to a high position. However, since a raw water container filled with water normally contains about 10-12 liters of water and weighs 10 kg or more, such container replacement work is very difficult for a user (especially, woman and elderly person) of the water dispenser. - In order to overcome this problem, the inventor of the present invention considered a water dispenser in which a raw water container is placed in the lower portion of a casing, and which enables a user to easily conduct container replacement work.
- As illustrated in
FIG. 11 , this water dispenser includes acold water tank 61 in which low-temperature drinking water to be discharged to outside is stored, ahot water tank 62 in which high-temperature drinking water to be discharged to outside is stored, and abuffer tank 63 in which drinking water for pushing drinking water in thehot water tank 62 to outside is stored. Thecold water tank 61 and thebuffer tank 63 each contains air and drinking water in two layers with the air forming the upper layer and the water forming the lower layer. Thecold water tank 61 has a firstwater level sensor 64 attached thereto which detects the water level in thecold water tank 61, and thebuffer tank 63 has a secondwater level sensor 65 attached thereto which detects the water level in thebuffer tank 63. - The
cold water tank 61 is formed with an opening 66 for atmosphere communication so that the interior of thecold water tank 61 is maintained at atmospheric pressure. Thebuffer tank 63 is also formed with an opening 67 for atmosphere communication so that the interior of thebuffer tank 63 is maintained at atmospheric pressure. An air filter (not shown) is attached to each of theopenings - When a user operates a
cold water cock 68, low-temperature drinking water in thecold water tank 61 is discharged to outside through a coldwater discharge pipe 69 extending from the bottom surface of thecold water tank 61. At this time, the water level in thecold water tank 61 falls. When the water level detected by the firstwater level sensor 64 has fallen below a predetermined level, apump 72 is activated which is attached to a pump attachedpipe 71 connected to araw water container 70, so that drinking water is introduced into thecold water tank 61 through a cold water tankwater supply pipe 73. - When a user operates a
hot water cock 74, high-temperature drinking water in thehot water tank 62 is discharged to outside through a hotwater discharge pipe 75 extending from the top surface of thehot water tank 62. At this time, drinking water in thebuffer tank 63 is introduced, due to its own weight, into thehot water tank 62 through a hot water tankwater supply pipe 76, so that the water level in thebuffer tank 63 falls. When the water level detected by the secondwater level sensor 65 has fallen below a predetermined level, a three-way valve 77 moves and further thepump 72 is activated, so that drinking water is introduced into thebuffer tank 63 through a buffer tankwater supply pipe 78. - Patent document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2012-162318
- After the water dispenser illustrated in
FIG. 11 is used for a long period of time, the firstwater level sensor 64 or the secondwater level sensor 65 might fail to function properly. In particular, if natural mineral water containing natural minerals is used as drinking water, the separation of such minerals from drinking water might cause the firstwater level sensor 64 or the secondwater level sensor 65 to operate unstably. If such an unstable operation occurs, the water level in thecold water tank 61 or in thebuffer tank 63 might continue to rise, and thus water might leak from the water dispenser. - In order to prevent this water leakage, the inventor of the present invention considered attaching an abnormality water level sensor detecting an abnormal water level to each of the
cold water tank 61 and thebuffer tank 63. Namely, the inventor considered attaching, separately from the firstwater level sensor 64, a water level sensor for detecting an abnormal level in thecold water tank 61 to thecold water tank 61, and further attaching, separately from the secondwater level sensor 65, a water level sensor for detecting an abnormal level in thebuffer tank 63 to thebuffer tank 63. - However, if such water level sensors are separately provided, the number of water level sensors used in the water dispenser is large, so that the costs for manufacturing such a water dispenser increase. Also, since an opening for atmosphere communication is formed in each of the
cold water tank 61 and thebuffer tank 63, the possibility that germs might go into the tanks from the atmosphere is relatively high, thus making it difficult to keep the water dispenser hygienic. - It is an object of the present invention to provide a water dispenser in which water leakage can be prevented, for which the costs can be reduced, and which can be kept hygienic.
- In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a water dispenser comprising: a first tank containing air and drinking water in two layers with the air forming an upper layer and the water forming a lower layer; a first water level sensor configured to detect a water level in the first tank; a first water supply pipe configured such that when the water level detected by the first water level sensor has fallen, drinking water is introduced into the first tank through the first water supply pipe; a second tank containing air and drinking water in two layers with the air forming an upper layer and the water forming a lower layer, and provided separately from the first tank so as to have a water level independent of the water level in the first tank; a second water level sensor configured to detect the water level in the second tank; a second water supply pipe configured such that when the water level detected by the second water level sensor has fallen, drinking water is introduced into the second tank through the second water supply pipe; an atmosphere communication line mounted to the first tank such that an interior of the first tank is maintained at atmospheric pressure; an air passage pipe through which the air layer in the first tank communicates with the air layer in the second tank; and an abnormality water level sensor configured to detect that the water level in the first tank has reached an abnormal level.
- In this arrangement, even if the water level in the first tank continues to rise due to an abnormality, the abnormality water level sensor can detect the abnormality. Also, since the interior of the first tank communicates with the interior of the second tank through the air passage pipe, even if the water level in the second tank continues to rise due to an abnormality, drinking water overflowing the second tank flows into the first tank through the air passage pipe, so that the water level in the first tank rises. Therefore, even if the water level in the second tank continues to rise due to an abnormality, the abnormality water level sensor can detect the abnormality. Namely, the abnormality water level sensor of the first tank can detect not only an abnormality which causes the water level in the first tank to continue to rise, but also an abnormality which causes the water level in the second tank to continue to rise, thus making it possible to monitor both the first tank and the second tank by a single sensor, i.e., only by the abnormality water level sensor so as to prevent water leakage. As a result thereof, it is not necessary to attach an abnormality water level sensor to the second tank, thus making it possible to reduce costs. Since the air layer in the first tank communicates with the air layer in the second tank through the air passage pipe, it is not necessary to mount an atmosphere communication line to the second tank. As a result thereof, it is possible to reduce the possibility that germs might go into the water dispenser from the atmosphere, and thus to keep the water dispenser hygienic.
- The present invention may be applied to the water dispenser, further comprising a hot water tank in which high-temperature drinking water to be discharged to outside is to be stored, wherein the first tank comprises a cold water tank in which low-temperature drinking water to be discharged to outside is to be stored, and wherein the second tank comprises a buffer tank arranged at a higher level than the hot water tank, and configured to store drinking water which is capable of pushing high-temperature drinking water in the hot water tank to outside when the high-temperature drinking water in the hot water tank is discharged to outside.
- The water dispenser configured as above may further comprise: a pump attached pipe connected to upstream sides of the first water supply pipe and the second water supply pipe through an upper three-way valve: a raw water container connection pipe and a circulation pipe connected to an upstream side of the pump attached pipe through a lower three-way valve; and a replaceable raw water container connected to the raw water container connection pipe, wherein the hot water tank is connected to the circulation pipe, wherein the upper three-way valve is configured to switch a flow of drinking water by moving between a first connection position in which the upper three-way valve allows communication between the pump attached pipe and the first water supply pipe, while blocking communication between the pump attached pipe and the second water supply pipe, and a second connection position in which the upper three-way valve allows communication between the pump attached pipe and the second water supply pipe, while blocking communication between the pump attached pipe and the first water supply pipe, and wherein the lower three-way valve is configured to switch a flow of drinking water by moving between a raw water side connection position in which the lower three-way valve allows communication between the pump attached pipe and the raw water container connection pipe, while blocking communication between the pump attached pipe and the circulation pipe, and a circulation side connection position in which the lower three-way valve allows communication between the pump attached pipe and the circulation pipe, while blocking communication between the pump attached pipe and the raw water container connection pipe.
- In this arrangement, by activating a pump with the upper three-way valve moved to the second connection position (buffer side connection position), and with the lower three-way valve moved to the circulation side connection position, it is possible to conduct a sterilization operation in which high-temperature drinking water in the hot water tank circulates through the circulation path including the buffer tank and the pump attached pipe. When the sterilization operation is started, even if the water level in the cold water tank or in the buffer tank continues to rise due to the malfunction of the upper three-way valve or of the lower three-way valve, the abnormality water level sensor detects the abnormality, thereby making it possible to prevent water leakage.
- In the water dispenser according to the present invention, the abnormality water level sensor of the first tank can detect not only an abnormality which causes the water level in the first tank to continue to rise, but also an abnormality which causes the water level in the second tank to continue to rise, thus making it possible to monitor both the first tank and the second tank by a single sensor, i.e., only by the abnormality water level sensor so as to prevent water leakage. As a result thereof, it is not necessary to attach an abnormality water level sensor to the second tank, thus making it possible to reduce costs. Since the air layer in the first tank communicates with the air layer in the second tank through the air passage pipe, it is not necessary to mount an atmosphere communication line to the second tank. As a result thereof, it is possible to reduce the possibility that germs might go into the water dispenser from the atmosphere, and thus to keep the water dispenser hygienic.
-
FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a water dispenser according to an embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the water dispenser in the vicinity of the cold water tank and the buffer tank ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the water dispenser in the vicinity of the container holder ofFIG. 1 , the view illustrating the state in which the container holder is out of a casing. -
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the water dispenser, the view illustrating the state in which the water level in the cold water tank ofFIG. 1 has fallen, and drinking water is being introduced into the cold water tank through a cold water tank water supply pipe. -
FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the water dispenser, the view illustrating the state in which the water level in the buffer water tank ofFIG. 1 has fallen, and drinking water is being introduced into the buffer tank through a buffer tank water supply pipe. -
FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the water dispenser, the view illustrating the state in which sterilization operation is being conducted in the water dispenser ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the water dispenser, the view illustrating the state in which a first water level sensor attached to the cold water tank ofFIG. 4 has failed to function property, so that the water level in the cold water tank has continued to rise. -
FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the water dispenser, the view illustrating the state in which a second water level sensor attached to the buffer tank ofFIG. 5 has failed to function property, so that the water level in the cold buffer tank has continued to rise. -
FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the water dispenser, the view illustrating the state in which the upper three-way valve ofFIG. 6 has failed to function property, so that the water level in the cold water tank has continued to rise. -
FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the water dispenser, the view illustrating the state in which the lower three-way valve ofFIG. 6 has failed to function property, so that the water level in the buffer tank has continued to rise. -
FIG. 11 is a sectional view of a water dispenser which the inventor of the present invention considered and exemplified. -
FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a water dispenser according to the embodiment of the present invention. This water dispenser includes acasing 1, acold water tank 2 in which low-temperature drinking water to be discharged to the outside of thecasing 1 is stored, a firstwater level sensor 3 which detects the water level in thecold water tank 2, a cold water tankwater supply pipe 4 through which drinking water is introduced into thecold water tank 2 when the water level detected by the firstwater level sensor 3 has fallen, ahot water tank 5 in which high-temperature drinking water to be discharged to the outside of thecasing 1 is stored, abuffer tank 6 arranged at a higher level than thehot water tank 5, a secondwater level sensor 7 which detects the water level in thebuffer tank 6, a buffer tankwater supply pipe 8 through which drinking water is introduced into thebuffer tank 6 when the water level detected by the secondwater level sensor 7 has fallen, a pump attachedpipe 10 connected to the upstream sides of the cold water tankwater supply pipe 4 and the buffer tankwater supply pipe 8 through an upper three-way valve 9, a raw watercontainer connection pipe 12 and a circulation pipe 13 (pipe for sterilization) connected to the upstream side of the pump attachedpipe 10 through a lower three-way valve 11, and a replaceableraw water container 14 detachably connected to the raw watercontainer connection pipe 12. - As illustrated in
FIG. 3 , theraw water container 14 includes a tubularhollow trunk portion 15, abottom portion 16 connected to one end of thetrunk portion 15, and aneck portion 18 connected to the other end of thetrunk portion 15 through ashoulder portion 17. Awater outlet 19 is formed in thisneck portion 18. Thetrunk portion 15 of theraw water container 14 is flexibly formed so as to shrink as the amount of water remaining in theraw water container 14 decreases. Theraw water container 14 is formed by blow molding of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin. The maximum capacity of theraw water container 14, namely, the maximum amount of drinking water theraw water container 14 can hold, is about 10 to 20 liters. - The
raw water container 14 may be constituted by a bag made of resin film and including a connector bonded to the film by heat welding, etc. and having thewater outlet 19, and a box, such as a corrugated paperboard box, in which this bag is received (so-called “bag-in box”). - The
raw water container 14 is supported by acontainer holder 20. Thecontainer holder 20 is supported so as to be movable in a horizontal direction between the received position (position illustrated inFIG. 1 ) in which theraw water container 14 is received in thecasing 1, and the pulled-out position (position illustrated inFIG. 3 ) in which theraw water container 14 is out of thecasing 1. Theraw water container 14 is supported by thecontainer holder 20 with thewater outlet 19 directed horizontally. - The
end portion 12 a of the raw watercontainer connection pipe 12 on the side of theraw water container 14 is fixed in position inside of thecasing 1 such that, as illustrated inFIG. 3 , when thecontainer holder 20 is moved to the pulled-out position, theend portion 12 a is separated from thewater outlet 19 of theraw water container 14, and such that, as illustrated inFIG. 1 , when thecontainer holder 20 is moved to the received position, theend portion 12 a is connected to thewater outlet 19 of theraw water container 14. - As illustrated in
FIG. 1 , the pump attachedpipe 10 has apump 21 attached thereto which transfers drinking water in the pump attachedpipe 10 from the side of the lower three-way valve 11 to the side of the upper three-way valve 9. Thepump 21 may be, for example, a diaphragm pump. While not shown, the diaphragm pump includes a diaphragm configured to reciprocate, a pump chamber whose capacity increases and decreases according to the reciprocation of the diaphragm, an inlet and an outlet formed in the pump chamber, an inlet side check valve attached to the inlet of the pump chamber to allow drinking water to flow only into the pump chamber, and an outlet side check valve attached to the outlet of the pump chamber to allow drinking water to flow only out of the pump chamber. The diaphragm pump is configured such that while the volume of the pump chamber is increasing due to reciprocation of the diaphragm, drinking water is sucked into the pump chamber through the inlet of the pump chamber, and while the volume of the pump chamber is decreasing due to the reciprocation of the diaphragm, drinking water is discharged from the pump chamber through the outlet of the pump chamber. - Also, the
pump 21 may be a gear pump. While not shown, the gear pump includes a casing, a pair of gears received in the casing and meshing with each other, and an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber defined in the casing by the portions of the gears meshing with each other. The gear pump transfers drinking water trapped between the inner surface of the casing and the tooth grooves of the respective gears from the side of the inlet chamber to the side of the outlet chamber due to the rotation of the gears. - A
flow sensor 22 is attached to the portion of the pump attachedpipe 10 on the outlet side of thepump 21. If the flow of drinking water in the pump attachedpipe 10 disappears while thepump 21 is operating, theflow sensor 22 detects this state. At this time, a container replacement lamp (not shown) provided at the front of thecasing 1 is turned on so as to inform a user that theraw water container 14 now needs to be replaced by a newraw water container 14. - The upper three-
way valve 9 can switch the flow of drinking water by moving between a cold water side connection position (seeFIG. 1 ) in which the upper three-way valve 9 allows communication between the pump attachedpipe 10 and the cold water tankwater supply pipe 4, while blocking communication between the pump attachedpipe 10 and the buffer tankwater supply pipe 8, and a buffer side connection position (seeFIG. 6 ) in which the upper three-way valve 9 allows communication between the pump attachedpipe 10 and the buffer tankwater supply pipe 8, while blocking communication between the pump attachedpipe 10 and the cold water tankwater supply pipe 4. The upper three-way valve 9 is constituted by an electromagnetic valve configured to move from the cold water side connection position to the buffer side connection position when energized, and to move from the buffer side connection position to the cold water side connection position when de-energized. - The lower three-
way valve 11 can switch the flow of drinking water by moving between a raw water side connection position (seeFIG. 1 ) in which the lower three-way valve 11 allows communication between the pump attachedpipe 10 and the raw watercontainer connection pipe 12, while blocking communication between the pump attachedpipe 10 and thecirculation pipe 13, and a circulation side connection position (seeFIG. 6 ) in which the lower three-way valve 11 allows communication between the pump attachedpipe 10 and thecirculation pipe 13, while blocking communication between the pump attachedpipe 10 and the raw watercontainer connection pipe 12. The lower three-way valve 11 is, as with the upper three-way valve 9, constituted by an electromagnetic valve configured to move from the raw water side connection position to the circulation side connection position when energized, and to move from the circulation side connection position to the raw water side connection position when de-energized. The lower three-way valve 11 is connected to thehot water tank 5 through thecirculation pipe 13. - As illustrated in
FIG. 1 , thecold water tank 2 contains air and drinking water in two layers with the air forming the upper layer and the water forming the lower layer. Thecold water tank 2 has acooling device 23 attached thereto which keeps drinking water stored in thecold water tank 2 at a predetermined low temperature (about 5 degrees Celsius). A coldwater discharge pipe 24 is connected to the bottom surface of thecold water tank 2 such that low-temperature drinking water stored in thecold water tank 2 is discharged through the coldwater discharge pipe 24 to outside. The coldwater discharge pipe 24 has acold water cock 25 mounted thereto which is operable from the outside of thecasing 1. By opening thiscold water cock 25, low-temperature drinking water can be discharged from thecold water tank 2 into a cup, etc. The capacity of the cold water tank 2 (its capacity to hold drinking water) is smaller than that of theraw water container 14, and is about 1 to 3 liters. - As illustrated in
FIG. 2 , Anatmosphere communication line 27 is connected to thetop surface 2 a of thecold water tank 2 such that the air layer in thecold water tank 2 communicates with the atmosphere through theatmosphere communication line 27 and through anair sterilization chamber 26. Theair sterilization chamber 26 includes ahollow case 29 formed with anatmosphere opening 28, and anozone generator 30 mounted in thecase 29. Theozone generator 30 may be, for example, a low-pressure mercury lamp which applies ultraviolet rays to oxygen contained in air so as to change the oxygen into ozone, or a silent electrical discharge device which applies AC voltage between a pair of electrodes opposed to each other and covered with insulators so as to change the oxygen between the electrodes into ozone. Theozone generator 30 is energized at predetermined time intervals to generate ozone so that the interior of thecase 29 of theair sterilization chamber 26 is always filled with ozone. - Since the air layer in the
cold water tank 2 communicates with the atmosphere through theatmosphere communication line 27, the interior of thecold water tank 2 is maintained at atmospheric pressure. Namely, as the water level in thecold water tank 2 falls, atmospheric air is introduced into thecold water tank 2 from the atmosphere through theair sterilization chamber 26 and theatmosphere communication line 27, thereby maintaining the interior of thecold water tank 2 at atmospheric pressure. At this time, since atmospheric air passes through theair sterilization chamber 26 and thus is sterilized by ozone therein before being introduced into thecold water tank 2, the air in thecold water tank 2 is kept clean. While, in this embodiment, in order to keep the interior of thecold water tank 2 hygienic, theatmosphere communication line 27 includes theair sterilization chamber 26 configured to sterilize air by ozone, a simpleratmosphere communication line 27 may be used instead which comprises an opening for atmosphere communication formed in thetop surface 2 a of thecold water tank 2, and an air filter attached to this opening. - The first
water level sensor 3 is attached to thetop surface 2 a of thecold water tank 2. Though the firstwater level sensor 3 may be a sensor capable of detecting a plurality of water levels, the firstwater level sensor 3 used in this embodiment is a sensor capable of detecting only two states, i.e., the state in which the water level in thecold water tank 2 is below a predetermined level and the state in which the water level is equal to or over the predetermined level. Such a firstwater level sensor 3 is constituted by, for example, afloat 31 having a specific gravity smaller than the drinking water and including a built-in magnet, and astem 32 retaining thefloat 31 such that thefloat 31 is movable in the vertical direction and including a built-in lead switch. This firstwater level sensor 3 is configured such that when thefloat 31 moves up and down in synchronization with the rise and fall of the water level in thecold water tank 2, the magnet in thefloat 31 and the lead switch in thestem 32 move relative to each other, thereby turning on and turning off the lead switch. - The end portion of the cold water tank
water supply pipe 4 on the side of thecold water tank 2 is connected to thetop surface 2 a of thecold water tank 2. Thecold water tank 2 is provided in its interior with a guidingplate 33 by which, when drinking water is introduced into thecold water tank 2 through the cold water tankwater supply pipe 4, the vertical flow of the drinking water flowing into thecold water tank 2 is changed into a horizontal flow of drinking water. The guidingplate 33 thus prevents low-temperature drinking water stored in the lower portion of thecold water tank 2 from mixing with and being stirred by the normal-temperature drinking water flowing into thecold water tank 2 through the cold water tankwater supply pipe 4. - The
cold water tank 2 has an abnormalitywater level sensor 34 mounted thereto separately from the firstwater level sensor 3. If the water level in thecold water tank 2 reaches an abnormal level, the abnormalitywater level sensor 34 detects this state. The abnormalitywater level sensor 34 may be of the type capable of detecting only two states, i.e., the state in which the water level in thecold water tank 2 is below an abnormal level and the state in which the water level is equal to or over the abnormal level. The “abnormal level” is a predetermined water level higher (e.g., by 10-20 mm) than the above-mentioned predetermined water level set for the firstwater level sensor 3. By attaching the abnormalitywater level sensor 34 in asensor receiving recess 35 formed in thetop surface 2 a of thecold water tank 2 as illustrated in the drawings, it is possible to reduce the space in thecasing 1 occupied by thecold water tank 2, and thus to make thecasing 1 small-sized. The end portion of theatmosphere communication line 27 on the side of thecold water tank 2 is open to thesensor receiving recess 35 so that even if the water level in thecold water tank 2 reaches the abnormal level, it is possible to reliably prevent drinking water from flowing into theatmosphere communication line 27. - The
buffer tank 6 contains air and drinking water in two layers with the air forming the upper layer and the water forming the lower layer. Thebuffer tank 6 is provided separately from thecold water tank 2 so as to have a water level independent of the water level in thecold water tank 2. Namely, the drinking water layers in thebuffer tank 6 and thecold water tank 2 never communicate with each other, so that the water levels in thebuffer tank 6 and thecold water tank 2 can change separately from each other. - The
buffer tank 6 has anair passage pipe 36 connected thereto through which air is allowed to flow into and out of thebuffer tank 6. Theair passage pipe 36 is connected at one end thereof to thetop surface 6 a of thebuffer tank 6, and at the other end to thetop surface 2 a of thecold water tank 2, so that the air layers in thebuffer tank 6 and thecold water tank 2 communicate with each other through theair passage pipe 36. Theair passage pipe 36 is an airtight pipe formed such that air is allowed to flow only between thebuffer tank 6 and thecold water tank 2, and not between any other portions, through theair passage pipe 36. The air layer in thebuffer tank 6 is in communication with theatmosphere communication line 27 through the interior of theair passage pipe 36 and the air layer in thecold water tank 2. As a result thereof, as the water level in thebuffer tank 6 falls, air is introduced into thebuffer tank 6 from thecold water tank 2 through theair passage pipe 36, so that the interior of thebuffer tank 6 is maintained at atmospheric pressure. At this time, air equal in amount to the air introduced into thebuffer tank 6 from thecold water tank 2 is introduced into thecold water tank 2 through theatmosphere communication line 27. - The second
water level sensor 7 is attached to thetop surface 6 a of thebuffer tank 6. The secondwater level sensor 7 is of the type capable of detecting only two states, i.e., the state in which the water level in thebuffer tank 6 is below a predetermined level and the state in which the water level is equal to or over the predetermined level. As in the firstwater level sensor 3, the secondwater level sensor 7 may be constituted by afloat 37 having a specific gravity smaller than the drinking water and including a built-in magnet, and astem 38 retaining thefloat 37 such that thefloat 37 is movable in the vertical direction and including a built-in lead switch. The end portion of the buffer tankwater supply pipe 8 on the side of thebuffer tank 6 is connected to thetop surface 6 a of thebuffer tank 6. - The capacity of the buffer tank 6 (its capacity to hold drinking water) is smaller than that of the
hot water tank 5, and is about 0.2 to 0.5 liters. As described below, drinking water in thebuffer tank 6 functions to push the drinking water in thehot water tank 5 to outside when discharging high-temperature drinking water in thehot water tank 5 to outside. Therefore, it is preferable that thebuffer tank 6 has a shape elongated in the vertical direction (e.g., cylindrical shape whose height is larger than its diameter). Even if thebuffer tank 6 having such a shape has only a small capacity, relatively high water pressure is generated in the lower portion of thebuffer tank 6, thus making it possible to effectively push drinking water in thehot water tank 5 to outside. - As illustrated in
FIG. 1 , thebuffer tank 6 is connected to thehot water tank 5 through a hot water tankwater supply pipe 39, with the end portion of the hot water tankwater supply pipe 39 on the side of thebuffer tank 6 connected to the bottom surface of thebuffer tank 6. Acheck valve 39 a is provided at the end portion of the hot water tankwater supply pipe 39 on the side of thebuffer tank 6. Thecheck valve 39 a prevents drinking water from flowing into thebuffer tank 6 from thehot water tank 5, while allowing drinking water to flow into thehot water tank 5 from thebuffer tank 6. By attaching thecheck valve 39 a to the hot water tankwater supply pipe 39, it is possible to prevent high-temperature drinking water going up due to heat convection in thehot water tank 5 from flowing into thebuffer tank 6, and thus to increase the energy efficiency of thehot water tank 5. - The
hot water tank 5 is completely filled with drinking water. Thehot water tank 5 has aheater 40 attached thereto which keeps drinking water stored in thehot water tank 5 at a predetermined high temperature (about 90 degrees Celsius). - A hot
water discharge pipe 41 is connected to the top surface of thehot water tank 5 such that high-temperature drinking water stored in the upper portion of thehot water tank 5 is discharged to outside through the hotwater discharge pipe 41. The hotwater discharge pipe 41 has ahot water cock 42 mounted thereto which is operable from the outside of thecasing 1. By opening thishot water cock 42, high-temperature drinking water can be discharged from thehot water tank 5 into a cup, etc. When drinking water is discharged from thehot water tank 5, drinking water in thebuffer tank 6 is introduced, due to its own weight, into thehot water tank 5 through the hot water tankwater supply pipe 39, so that thehot water tank 5 is always filled with drinking water. The capacity of the hot water tank 5 (its capacity to hold drinking water) is about 1 to 2 liters. - The
circulation pipe 13, through which thehot water tank 5 communicates with the lower three-way valve 11, is connected at its end portion on the side of thehot water tank 5 to the top surface of thehot water tank 5. Adrain pipe 43 is connected to the bottom surface of thehot water tank 5 so as to extend to the exterior of thecasing 1. The outlet of thedrain pipe 43 is closed by aplug 44. However, an on-off valve may be used instead of theplug 44. - It is now described how the above water dispenser operates.
- As illustrated in
FIG. 4 , when a user operates thecold water cock 25, low-temperature drinking water in thecold water tank 2 is discharged, due to its own weight, to outside through the coldwater discharge pipe 24. At this time, the water level in thecold water tank 2 falls. When the firstwater level sensor 3 detects that the water level in thecold water tank 2 has fallen below the predetermined level, thepump 21 is activated with the upper three-way valve 9 moved to the cold water side connection position, and with the lower three-way valve 11 moved to the raw water side connection position. As a result thereof, drinking water contained in theraw water container 14 flows into thecold water tank 2 through the raw watercontainer connection pipe 12, the lower three-way valve 11, the pump attachedpipe 10, the upper three-way valve 9, and the cold water tankwater supply pipe 4. Thereafter, when the firstwater level sensor 3 detects that the water level in thecold water tank 2 has reached or exceeded the predetermined level, thepump 21 stops its operation. By activating thepump 21 according to the water level detected by the firstwater level sensor 3 in this way, it is possible to keep the water level in thecold water tank 2 at a constant level. - Instead of immediately stopping the operation of the
pump 21 when the firstwater level sensor 3 detects that the water level in thecold water tank 2 has reached or exceeded the predetermined level, it is preferable to keep thepump 21 activated for a predetermined time thereafter and then stop the operation of thepump 21. By doing so, it is possible to prevent a chattering phenomenon (phenomenon in which the start and stop of thepump 21's operation are repeated many times in a short time) which tends to occur due to the waving of the water surface in thecold water tank 2. If a sensor capable of detecting a plurality of water levels is used as the firstwater level sensor 3, the operation of thepump 21 may be stopped when the firstwater level sensor 3 detects that the water level in thecold water tank 2 has reached a predetermined upper limit. - As illustrated in
FIG. 5 , when a user operates thehot water cock 42, high-temperature drinking water in thehot water tank 5 is discharged to outside through the hotwater discharge pipe 41. At this time, drinking water in thebuffer tank 6 is introduced, due to its own weight, into thehot water tank 5 through the hot water tankwater supply pipe 39. Drinking water in thebuffer tank 6 functions to push drinking water in thehot water tank 5 to outside. When drinking water in thebuffer tank 6 is introduced into thehot water tank 5, the water level in thebuffer tank 6 falls. When the secondwater level sensor 7 detects that the water level in thebuffer tank 6 has fallen below the predetermined level, thepump 21 is activated with the upper three-way valve 9 moved to the buffer side connection position, and with the lower three-way valve 11 moved to the raw water side connection position. As a result thereof, drinking water contained in theraw water container 14 flows into thebuffer tank 6 through the raw watercontainer connection pipe 12, the lower three-way valve 11, the pump attachedpipe 10, the upper three-way valve 9, and the buffer tankwater supply pipe 8. Thereafter, when the secondwater level sensor 7 detects that the water level in thebuffer tank 6 has reached or exceeded the predetermined level, thepump 21 stops its operation. By activating thepump 21 according to the water level detected by the secondwater level sensor 7 in this way, it is possible to keep the water level in thebuffer tank 6 at a constant level. - In this case too, instead of immediately stopping the operation of the
pump 21 when the secondwater level sensor 7 detects that the water level in thebuffer tank 6 has reached or exceeded the predetermined level, it is preferable to keep thepump 21 activated for a predetermined time thereafter and then stop the operation of thepump 21. By doing so, it is possible to prevent a chattering phenomenon which tends to occur due to the waving of the water surface in thebuffer tank 6. If a sensor capable of detecting a plurality of water levels is used as the secondwater level sensor 7, the operation of thepump 21 may be stopped when the secondwater level sensor 7 detects that the water level in thebuffer tank 6 has reached a predetermined upper limit. - In this water dispenser, it is possible to conduct sterilization operations so as to keep the interior of the water dispenser hygienic. In such sterilization operations, the
circulation path 50 including thebuffer tank 6 and the pump attachedpipe 10 is sterilized at a high temperature by circulating high-temperature drinking water in thehot water tank 5 through thecirculation path 50. The initial sterilization operation starts when a user operates a button (not shown) arranged at the front of thecasing 1. The elapsed time from the first sterilization operation is measured by a timer built in the water dispenser, and the second and later sterilization operations are automatically conducted at the intervals of a day based on the elapsed time measured by the timer. - It is now described how the sterilization operations are conducted. As illustrated in
FIG. 6 , first, the upper three-way valve 9 is moved to the buffer side connection position, and the lower three-way valve 11 is moved to the circulation side connection position. Second, thepump 21 is activated. By doing so, high-temperature drinking water in thehot water tank 5 circulates through thecirculation pipe 13, the lower three-way valve 11, the pump attachedpipe 10, the upper three-way valve 9, the buffer tankwater supply pipe 8, thebuffer tank 6, and the hot water tankwater supply pipe 39. At this time, theheater 40 of thehot water tank 5 heats drinking water passing through thehot water tank 5, thereby increasing the temperature of the entire drinking water circulating through the circulation path 50 (flow path constituted by thehot water tank 5, thecirculation pipe 13, the lower three-way valve 11, the pump attachedpipe 10, the upper three-way valve 9, the buffer tankwater supply pipe 8, thebuffer tank 6, and the hot water tank water supply pipe 39) up to a sterilization temperature (e.g., 80 degrees Celsius). - During the sterilization operations, high-temperature drinking water never passes through the
cold water tank 2. Therefore, it is possible to secure safety and convenience for a user. Namely, if high-temperature drinking water passes through thecold water tank 2 during the sterilization operations, since the high-temperature drinking water is discharged out of thecold water cock 25 when a user operates thecold water cock 25 during the sterilization operations, there is the risk that the user might get scalded. In contrast thereto, since this water dispenser is configured such that thecold water tank 2 is not disposed in thecirculation path 50 used during the sterilization operation, a user can discharge low-temperature drinking water from thecold water tank 2 even during the sterilization operations, and there is no risk that the user might get scalded. - After the above water dispenser is used for a long period of time, the first
water level sensor 3, the secondwater level sensor 7, the upper three-way valve 9, or the lower three-way valve 11, etc. might fail to function properly. In particular, if natural mineral water containing natural minerals is used as drinking water, the separation of such minerals from drinking water might inhibit the movement of thefloat 31 of the firstwater level sensor 3 or thefloat 37 of the secondwater level sensor 7, or might make it difficult for the upper three-way valve 9 or the lower three-way valve 11 to move from one of the two connection positions to the other connection position. If such an abnormality occurs and is not detected, the water level in thecold water tank 2 or in thebuffer tank 6 might continue to rise, so that water might leak out of the water dispenser. - In order to avoid this problem, this water dispenser is configured such that if the abnormality
water level sensor 34 detects abnormality due to malfunction of the firstwater level sensor 3, the secondwater level sensor 7, the upper three-way valve 9, the lower three-way valve 11, or any other element, thepump 21 is deactivated, a lamp (not shown) arranged at the front of thecasing 1 is turned on to inform a user that an abnormality is occurring. This is described below. - In
FIG. 7 , a case is envisaged in which the firstwater level sensor 3 fails to function properly such that though thepump 21 is operating according to the fall of the water level in thecold water tank 2, thefloat 31 of the firstwater level sensor 3 does not move up. At this time, since the firstwater level sensor 3 does not detect the rise of the water level in thecold water tank 2, thepump 21 does not stop its operation even when the water level in thecold water tank 2 has reached or exceeded the predetermined level, so that the water level in thecold water tank 2 continues to rise. Thereafter, when the water level in thecold water tank 2 has reached the abnormal level, the abnormalitywater level sensor 34 detects this state. At this time, the operation of thepump 21 is stopped, and further the lamp is turned on so as to inform a user that an abnormality is occurring. In this way, it is possible to prevent the water leakage due to the malfunction of the firstwater level sensor 3. - In
FIG. 8 , a case is envisaged in which the secondwater level sensor 7 fails to function properly such that though thepump 21 is operating according to the fall of the water level in thebuffer tank 6, thefloat 37 of the secondwater level sensor 7 does not move up. At this time, since the secondwater level sensor 7 does not detect the rise of the water level in thebuffer tank 6, thepump 21 does not stop its operation even when the water level in thebuffer tank 6 has reached or exceeded the predetermined level, so that the water level in thebuffer tank 6 continues to rise. Thereafter, when the water level in thebuffer tank 6 has reached thetop surface 6 a of thebuffer tank 6, drinking water overflowing thebuffer tank 6 flows into thecold water tank 2 through theair passage pipe 36, so that the water level in thecold water 2 begins to rise. Thereafter, when the water level in thecold water tank 2 has reached the abnormal level, the abnormalitywater level sensor 34 detects this state. At this time, the operation of thepump 21 is stopped, and the lamp is turned on so as to inform a user that an abnormality is occurring. In this way, it is possible to prevent the water leakage due to the malfunction of the secondwater level sensor 7. - In
FIG. 9 , a case is envisaged in which the upper three-way valve 9 fails to function properly such that when the sterilization operation is started, the upper three-way valve 9 does not move from the cold water side connection position to the buffer side connection position. At this time, since drinking water flowing out of thebuffer tank 6, which is supposed to return to thebuffer tank 6, flows into thecold water tank 2 instead, the water level in thebuffer tank 6 continues to fall due to the operation of thepump 21, and the water level in thecold water tank 2 continues to rise. Thereafter, when the water level in thecold water tank 2 has reached the abnormal level, the abnormalitywater level sensor 34 detects this state. At this time, the operation of thepump 21 is stopped, and the lamp is turned on so as to inform a user that an abnormality is occurring. In this way, it is possible to prevent the water leakage due to the malfunction of the upper three-way valve 9. - In
FIG. 10 , a case is envisaged in which the lower three-way valve 11 fails to function properly such that when the sterilization operation is started, the lower three-way valve 11 does not move from the raw water side connection position to the circulation side connection position. At this time, drinking water which is supposed to circulate through thecirculation path 50 remains stationary, while additional drinking water flows into thecirculation path 50 from theraw water container 14, so that the water level in thebuffer tank 6 continues to rise due to the operation of thepump 21. Thereafter, when the water level in thebuffer tank 6 has reached thetop surface 6 a of thebuffer tank 6, drinking water overflowing thebuffer tank 6 flows into thecold water tank 2 through theair passage pipe 36, so that the water level in thecold water 2 begins to rise. Thereafter, when the water level in thecold water tank 2 has reached the abnormal level, the abnormalitywater level sensor 34 detects this state. At this time, the operation of thepump 21 is stopped, and the lamp is turned on so as to inform a user that an abnormality is occurring. In this way, it is possible to prevent the water leakage due to the malfunction of the lower three-way valve 11. - As described above, in this water dispenser, even if the water level in the
cold water tank 2 continues to rise due to an abnormality, the abnormalitywater level sensor 34 can detect the abnormality. Also, since the interior of thecold water tank 2 communicates with the interior of thebuffer tank 6 through theair passage pipe 36, even if the water level in thebuffer tank 6 continues to rise due to an abnormality, drinking water overflowing thebuffer tank 6 flows into thecold water tank 2 through theair passage pipe 36, so that the water level in thecold water 2 rises. Therefore, even if the water level in thebuffer tank 6 continues to rise due to an abnormality, the abnormalitywater level sensor 34 can detect the abnormality. Namely, the abnormalitywater level sensor 34 of thecold water tank 2 can detect not only an abnormality which causes the water level in thecold water tank 2 to continue to rise, but also an abnormality which causes the water level in thebuffer tank 6 to continue to rise, thus making it possible to monitor both thecold water tank 2 and thebuffer tank 6 by a single sensor, i.e., only by the abnormalitywater level sensor 34. As a result thereof, it is not necessary to attach an abnormality water level sensor to thebuffer tank 6, thus making it possible to reduce costs. Also, since the air layer in thecold water tank 2 communicates with the air layer in thebuffer tank 6 through theair passage pipe 36, it is not necessary to mount an atmosphere communication line to thebuffer tank 6. As a result thereof, it is possible to reduce the possibility that germs might go into the water dispenser from the atmosphere, and thus to keep the water dispenser hygienic. - In the above embodiment, the water dispenser is described in which the first
water level sensor 3 is attached to thecold water tank 2, and the secondwater level sensor 7 is attached to thebuffer tank 6. However, the present invention may be applied to a water dispenser of a different type. For example, the first and second water level sensors may be attached, respectively, to the cold water tank and to the hot water tank, the tanks each containing air and drinking water in two layers with the air forming the upper layer and the water forming the lower layer. In this arrangement, the atmosphere communication line can be attached to the cold water tank, the air passage pipe can be attached such that the air layer in the cold water tank communicates with the air layer in the hot water tank through the air passage pipe, and the abnormality water level sensor can be attached to the cold water tank. -
- 2: cold water tank
- 3: first water level sensor
- 4: cold water tank water supply pipe
- 5: hot water tank
- 6: buffer tank
- 7: second water level sensor
- 8: buffer tank water supply pipe
- 9: upper three-way valve
- 10: pump attached pipe
- 11: lower three-way valve
- 12: raw water container connection pipe
- 13: circulation pipe
- 14: raw water container
- 27: atmosphere communication line
- 34: abnormality water level sensor
- 36: air passage pipe
Claims (3)
1. A water dispenser comprising:
a first tank containing air and drinking water in two layers with the air forming an upper layer and the water forming a lower layer;
a first water level sensor configured to detect a water level in the first tank;
a first water supply pipe configured such that when the water level detected by the first water level sensor has fallen, drinking water is introduced into the first tank through the first water supply pipe;
a second tank containing air and drinking water in two layers with the air forming an upper layer and the water forming a lower layer, and provided separately from the first tank so as to have a water level independent of the water level in the first tank;
a second water level sensor configured to detect the water level in the second tank;
a second water supply pipe configured such that when the water level detected by the second water level sensor has fallen, drinking water is introduced into the second tank through the second water supply pipe;
an atmosphere communication line mounted to the first tank such that an interior of the first tank is maintained at atmospheric pressure;
an air passage pipe through which the air layer in the first tank communicates with the air layer in the second tank; and
an abnormality water level sensor configured to detect that the water level in the first tank has reached an abnormal level.
2. The water dispenser according to claim 1 , further comprising a hot water tank in which high-temperature drinking water to be discharged to outside is to be stored,
wherein the first tank comprises a cold water tank in which low-temperature drinking water to be discharged to outside is to be stored, and
wherein the second tank comprises a buffer tank arranged at a higher level than the hot water tank, and configured to store drinking water which is capable of pushing high-temperature drinking water in the hot water tank to outside when the high-temperature drinking water in the hot water tank is discharged to outside.
3. The water dispenser according to claim 2 , further comprising:
a pump attached pipe connected to upstream sides of the first water supply pipe and the second water supply pipe through an upper three-way valve;
a raw water container connection pipe and a circulation pipe connected to an upstream side of the pump attached pipe through a lower three-way valve; and
a replaceable raw water container connected to the raw water container connection pipe,
wherein the hot water tank is connected to the circulation pipe,
wherein the upper three-way valve is configured to switch a flow of drinking water by moving between a first connection position in which the upper three-way valve allows communication between the pump attached pipe and the first water supply pipe, while blocking communication between the pump attached pipe and the second water supply pipe, and a second connection position in which the upper three-way valve allows communication between the pump attached pipe and the second water supply pipe, while blocking communication between the pump attached pipe and the first water supply pipe, and
wherein the lower three-way valve is configured to switch a flow of drinking water by moving between a raw water side connection position in which the lower three-way valve allows communication between the pump attached pipe and the raw water container connection pipe, while blocking communication between the pump attached pipe and the circulation pipe, and a circulation side connection position in which the lower three-way valve allows communication between the pump attached pipe and the circulation pipe, while blocking communication between the pump attached pipe and the raw water container connection pipe.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2013-063771 | 2013-03-26 | ||
JP2013063771A JP5571218B1 (en) | 2013-03-26 | 2013-03-26 | Water server |
PCT/JP2013/084073 WO2014155871A1 (en) | 2013-03-26 | 2013-12-19 | Water server |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20160046478A1 true US20160046478A1 (en) | 2016-02-18 |
Family
ID=51427267
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US14/780,032 Abandoned US20160046478A1 (en) | 2013-03-26 | 2013-12-19 | Water dispenser |
Country Status (7)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20160046478A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2980012A4 (en) |
JP (1) | JP5571218B1 (en) |
KR (1) | KR102092436B1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN105050937B (en) |
TW (1) | TWI624632B (en) |
WO (1) | WO2014155871A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20220063980A1 (en) * | 2016-09-30 | 2022-03-03 | The Coca-Cola Company | Beverage dispensing systems |
Families Citing this family (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP6276938B2 (en) * | 2013-08-02 | 2018-02-07 | ネビオット−ネイチャー オブ ガリラヤ リミテッドNeviot−Nature Of Galilee Ltd. | Water dispenser with a boxed bag unit |
JP6814052B2 (en) * | 2017-01-18 | 2021-01-13 | 株式会社コスモライフ | Water server |
CN111685597A (en) * | 2019-03-13 | 2020-09-22 | 佛山市顺德区美的饮水机制造有限公司 | Water dispenser and control method thereof |
KR102370327B1 (en) * | 2020-01-29 | 2022-03-04 | 정하익 | Water purifier |
Citations (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3960295A (en) * | 1974-08-19 | 1976-06-01 | Vladimir Horak | Continuous liquid proportioning system |
US4284210A (en) * | 1977-12-21 | 1981-08-18 | Vladimir Horak | Static metering pump |
US4792059A (en) * | 1987-02-04 | 1988-12-20 | United States Thermoelectric Corporation | Sealed hot, cold and room temperature pure water dispenser |
US4958747A (en) * | 1988-08-15 | 1990-09-25 | Sheets Kerney T | Bottled water dispenser |
US5139708A (en) * | 1989-09-27 | 1992-08-18 | Isoworth Limited | Dual chamber carbonator for dispensing drinks |
US6868986B1 (en) * | 2003-02-10 | 2005-03-22 | Christopher Paul Arnold | Bottled water pump |
US20120189502A1 (en) * | 2008-07-11 | 2012-07-26 | George Yui | Bottom-loading water coolers with ozone sterilizing devices |
Family Cites Families (16)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPS50150400U (en) * | 1974-05-29 | 1975-12-13 | ||
JPH0485091A (en) * | 1990-07-27 | 1992-03-18 | Kobayashi Kirokushi Kk | Slip with label and manufacture thereof |
JPH0485091U (en) * | 1990-11-30 | 1992-07-23 | ||
JP3601012B2 (en) * | 1994-09-08 | 2004-12-15 | ホシザキ電機株式会社 | Hot water storage tank water supply device |
JP2001029981A (en) * | 1999-07-26 | 2001-02-06 | Cosmo Life Kk | Method and apparatus for treating organic wastewater |
TW501713U (en) * | 2001-08-28 | 2002-09-01 | Ming-De Jang | Water supply device for drinking water dispenser |
JP3873852B2 (en) * | 2002-09-09 | 2007-01-31 | 富士電機リテイルシステムズ株式会社 | Hot water supply apparatus and beverage supply apparatus using the same |
WO2004102089A1 (en) * | 2003-05-14 | 2004-11-25 | Kyusyu Kaihatsu Kikaku Co., Ltd. | Drinking water supplying machine and water tank storing vessel used in drinking water supplying machine |
JP4549037B2 (en) * | 2003-06-16 | 2010-09-22 | サントリーフーズ株式会社 | Beverage supply apparatus and beverage supply method |
DE602005008329D1 (en) * | 2004-10-06 | 2008-09-04 | Cosmo Life Kk | Cartridge for beverage dispenser and supporting device therefor |
JP2006115866A (en) * | 2004-10-19 | 2006-05-11 | Kyushu Kaihatsu Kikaku:Kk | Drinking water supply apparatus |
US8281821B2 (en) * | 2006-08-30 | 2012-10-09 | MTN Products, Inc | Leak stop seal for water cooler |
CN101221062A (en) * | 2007-01-10 | 2008-07-16 | 陞达科技股份有限公司 | Liquid level detecting module group and liquid supply system |
CN201530719U (en) * | 2009-09-21 | 2010-07-21 | 邬志坚 | beer machine |
JP5387974B2 (en) * | 2009-11-18 | 2014-01-15 | 株式会社九州開発企画 | Water supply |
JP5681514B2 (en) | 2011-02-09 | 2015-03-11 | エア・ウォーター株式会社 | Drinking water server |
-
2013
- 2013-03-26 JP JP2013063771A patent/JP5571218B1/en active Active
- 2013-12-19 KR KR1020157030485A patent/KR102092436B1/en active IP Right Grant
- 2013-12-19 US US14/780,032 patent/US20160046478A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2013-12-19 EP EP13880633.6A patent/EP2980012A4/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2013-12-19 CN CN201380075062.2A patent/CN105050937B/en active Active
- 2013-12-19 WO PCT/JP2013/084073 patent/WO2014155871A1/en active Application Filing
-
2014
- 2014-03-07 TW TW103108036A patent/TWI624632B/en active
Patent Citations (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3960295A (en) * | 1974-08-19 | 1976-06-01 | Vladimir Horak | Continuous liquid proportioning system |
US4284210A (en) * | 1977-12-21 | 1981-08-18 | Vladimir Horak | Static metering pump |
US4792059A (en) * | 1987-02-04 | 1988-12-20 | United States Thermoelectric Corporation | Sealed hot, cold and room temperature pure water dispenser |
US4958747A (en) * | 1988-08-15 | 1990-09-25 | Sheets Kerney T | Bottled water dispenser |
US5139708A (en) * | 1989-09-27 | 1992-08-18 | Isoworth Limited | Dual chamber carbonator for dispensing drinks |
US6868986B1 (en) * | 2003-02-10 | 2005-03-22 | Christopher Paul Arnold | Bottled water pump |
US20120189502A1 (en) * | 2008-07-11 | 2012-07-26 | George Yui | Bottom-loading water coolers with ozone sterilizing devices |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20220063980A1 (en) * | 2016-09-30 | 2022-03-03 | The Coca-Cola Company | Beverage dispensing systems |
US11713232B2 (en) * | 2016-09-30 | 2023-08-01 | The Coca-Cola Company | Beverage dispensing systems |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
TW201447193A (en) | 2014-12-16 |
CN105050937B (en) | 2017-03-08 |
CN105050937A (en) | 2015-11-11 |
JP2014189281A (en) | 2014-10-06 |
TWI624632B (en) | 2018-05-21 |
EP2980012A4 (en) | 2016-09-21 |
KR102092436B1 (en) | 2020-03-23 |
KR20150133823A (en) | 2015-11-30 |
WO2014155871A1 (en) | 2014-10-02 |
JP5571218B1 (en) | 2014-08-13 |
EP2980012A1 (en) | 2016-02-03 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US20160016776A1 (en) | Water dispenser | |
US20160009537A1 (en) | Water dispenser | |
US20160046478A1 (en) | Water dispenser | |
TWI591012B (en) | Water server | |
US20160046508A1 (en) | Water dispenser | |
KR102092434B1 (en) | Water dispenser | |
US20160002021A1 (en) | Water dispenser | |
JP5647640B2 (en) | Water server | |
JP5529201B2 (en) | Water server | |
US20160052769A1 (en) | Water dispenser | |
KR20150058142A (en) | Water server | |
JP2013180808A (en) | Water server | |
WO2014136346A1 (en) | Water dispenser |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: KABUSHIKI KAISHA COSMO LIFE, JAPAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:ORITA, YOSHINORI;REEL/FRAME:036986/0394 Effective date: 20151014 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |